Death Flies High ( Marechallannes - Entente)

[Marechallannes]

Mission 6 – Death Flies High

It was a clear November afternoon, when Captain Thomas Peabody from No. 52 Bulldog Squadron leaded a patrol of three Sopwith Camels westwards to the front.
With FO Pit Mannecken to his left and FO Harry Norwich to his right, he passed the abandoned town of Bar le Duc. A few moments later they spotted a German patrol of three scouts, heading North over the no man’s land.

Peabody signaled the attack and the Camels rushed towards the Huns. The three Albatrosses turned left and engaged into the fight. Peabody and Mannecken concentrated their fire on the slower Albatros D.III (Lt. Peter Müller), while the two Albatrosses in firing range concentrated themselves on the leading Camel.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44569&d=1336398908

Mannecken’s twin Vickers ripped parts off the Albatroses wing, while Peabodys burst hit something more critical. A big flash from the engine signaled the quick end of the Albatros and it fell burning to the ground.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44570&d=1336398908

But everything has its price and the Germans bullets crippled the leading Camel, wounded Captain Peabody and caused a smoke stream from the plane’s engine. (Sorry, somehow I missed the 3 point damage / wounded pilot card for Peabody in the picture before, dealt out by the exploded Albatros D.III)

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44571&d=1336398908

The planes passed each other, ready to engage again.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44566&d=1336398762

While the Albatros with the black tail section (Anton Wroniecki) prepared for an Immelman, the green one (Hans Kappel) solved a right curve.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44567&d=1336398762

The Immelmann was perfect but gave Mannecken the chance to set the plane with a few shots on fire, while Wroniecki himself missed the attacking Camel.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44568&d=1336398762

It was the overture for a heavy crossfire: Mannecken hit the incoming Kappel hard, leaving his opponent with smoking oil dust coming out of his plane. Kappel himself perforated Manneckens Camel with his Spandaus, ripping parts out of his fuselage and Norwich attacked Wroniecki’s burning plane.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44563&d=1336398628

It was real lucky, that Mannecken and Wroniecki didn’t collide in this situation.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44564&d=1336398628

Kappel kept the trigger, sending streams of bullets into Norwichs Camel, damaging his side rudder. Peabody and Wroniecki kept each other under fire, but again – the British Captain has the better aiming abilities, wounding Leutnant Wroniecki.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44565&d=1336398628

The planes disengaged for a moment. Kappel realized, that his comrade was badly wounded and couldn’t stay in the battle.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44561&d=1336398494

What to do? The Engländers didn’t seem to refuse to hunt both Germans down when they try to escape the fight. Especially wounded Wroniecki was an attractive target.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44562&d=1336398494

Leutnant Kappel decided to cover the retreat of his wounded comrade. He pulled the steering stick back for an Immelmann and attacked Mannecken and Peabody which headed for the heavy damaged Albatros. Norwich had problems with his rudder and missed the chance to close in with a left curve.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44557&d=1336398361

Kappels strategy worked well for the moment and the Camels concentrated on him.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44558&d=1336398361

While Wroniecki escaped…

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44559&d=1336398361

…Mannecken prepared an Immelman to follow the brave German pilot.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44554&d=1336398219

Peabody and Norwich steered their Camels in a right curve, watching what the lone Albatros would do next -

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…but the fight was soon over. Mannecken managed to get on the Albatrosse’s six and opened the fire.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44556&d=1336398219

Leutnant Kappel wasn’t able to shake of the Camel and the bullets hit the Albatros again, wound his pilot.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44551&d=1336398081

The moment the Albatros get in firing range of Peabody’s Camel, sealed his fate. The last burst from Manneckens MGs sent the Albratos burning and smoking to the ground.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44552&d=1336398081

Kappels last salvo dind’t harm Peabody’s Camel, but his evasion maneuver cause a nearby crash with Norwich’s Camel. Both planes suffered damages from the nearby fatal collision.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44553&d=1336398081

The brave Leutnant paid a high price for the save return of his comrade.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44549&d=1336397940

[Marechallannes]

Result:

A success of the Bulldogs. The Germans where bounced out of the no man’s land.



Captain Peabody (Sopwith Camel): wounded – 12 damage points – safe return – 1 aerial victory

FO Pit (Fries) Mannecken (Sopwith Camel): 5 damage points – safe return – 1 aerial victory (Reached 5 Kills - Ace ability to be announced):medal:

FO Harry Norwich (Sopwith Camel): 3 damage points – safe return



Lt. Peter Müller (Albatros D.III): exploded over no man’s land

Lt. Anton Wroniecki (Albatros D.Va): wounded – 11 damage points – safe return

Lt. Hans Kappel (Albatros D.Va): wounded – 15 damage points – shot down in flames over enemy territory



The early explosion of the D.III decided the mission. Again the Camels demonstrated their superiority vs. the Albatros D.Va’s in curving fights.:thumbsup:

No wonder I like this Entente plane so much. I hope that Leutnant Hans Kappel made it out of his crashed plane alive. :pray: There was no choice to retreat with his wounded comrade. He decided to stand and fight, defending the honor of the Kaisers Eagles.:salute:

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44550&d=1336397940

[Blackronin]

Very nice report, Sven!!
I will roll for your pilots, but now I'm finishing a portrait ;) so you'll have to wait.

[flash]

I have a feeling that you enjoyed that Sven - I just hope the rest of the Bulldogs do as well !

[Nightbomber]

A very interesting report, Sven. What I find exciting in this typical air sweep duel is a passion of the author:) With a crying heart I must congratulate the Bulldogs (who won't have to boost their morale anymore;) - Rob - ;) - joking) after such a perfect fight. I'm so sorry for Muller and the other pilots - their wounds may eliminate them from our Jasta for some missions. Muller might not survive the crash, which is even more dramatic.
One thing I'm sure. The German pilots shouldn't ever fly after drinking that fantastic Bavarian beer we can see on the first picture. They were not the Englishmen who were drinking it, weren't they?:lol:

[Marechallannes]

Thank you comrades.

I'm shure the Eagles will strike back as soon as possible, showing everyone what this campaign means: Total Air War!:slysmile:

The Albatros D.Va is more dangerous when a human player control them.:hmm:

If possible, I'll fight Pfalz D.III or Fokker Dr.I next mission - or test a Nieuport 17.

Death Flies High inspired me for my own mission...

Now to the bar to celebrate Manneckens 5th kill.

:pint:

[Nightbomber]

Congrats, Manneken!

Oh please - reveal what kind of ace he will be (be original - do not use always coming home;)).

[Marechallannes]

Checked the aces abilities and took

Marksman I

for Mannecken. Think he's a shooter.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

:salute:Another tale of the daring exploits og 52 Squadron. With another pilot notching up 5 victories and Ace status it is time for more than a bottle of Gin for the victors. I am forwarding a request for gongs to be awarded to our two leading pilots.
Well done you chaps.:medal:
Kyte.

[gully_raker]

:thumbsup: Great AAR report Sven.
I really enjoyed that plus the Pics.:clap:
Well done Bulldogs. The Naval Pilots of "Hearts of Oak" Squadron will shout your Chaps at the Bar tonight.:pint::pint::pint::drinks::drinks::drinks:

[tikkifriend]

Well done Sven , another 2 bite the dust:thumbsup: Beer is always good to drink during the game, but red wine is better:drinks::drinks:
To the mess tent!!
Paul

[Blackronin]

Captain Peabody (Sopwith Camel): wounded – safe return – Rolled 6. (Landed safely in Aerodrome: - +3) (Wounded: -1) - Modified: 8 - Skips 1 Scenario.

Central Powers
Lt. Peter Müller (Albatros D.III): exploded over no man’s land - Rolled 7. (Exploded: -3) - Modified: 4 - Severely Injured - Skips 3 Scenarios. Second roll: 11 (Exploded: -2) (Wounded: -1) (No Man's Land: +1) - Modified: 9 - They didn't even saw me! Overall: Skips 3 Scenarios.
Lt. Anton Wroniecki (Albatros D.Va): wounded – safe return - Rolled 4. (Landed safely in Aerodrome: - +3) (Wounded: -1) - Modified: 6 - Injured - Skips 2 Scenarios.
Lt. Hans Kappel (Albatros D.Va): wounded – shot down in flames over enemy territory - Rolled 8. (Wounded: -1) - Modified: 7 - Bruised - Skips 1 Scenario. Second roll: 7 (Wounded: -1) - Modified: 6 - In hiding! - Skips 2 Scenarios - Overall: Skips 2 Scenarios.

I wasn't aware that you've sing and play so well, Sven!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=KiNpjhvr97M